The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 536: I’ll Lend Him a Hand

Huangfu Yuxuan saw Yan Huanlin’s demeanor and knew he probably wasn’t willing to sell it. Besides, the wine required a special region, unique ingredients, and specific water, with a limited production volume. Though the wine was good, its low yield meant the profit from silver was limited; it was just a gimmick.

So he asked, "How much silver for those three jars of wine?"

Yan Huanlin replied, "Those three jars are the prime, the first batch transported from Yunzhou to the Capital City this time, totaling only these three jars of prime wine. Initially, I wanted to auction them to increase the fame of our restaurant, with a starting price of a thousand silver taels. But since Miss Xia had helped me once and specifically requested this wine, I can’t dishearten a customer."

"You mean just the wine costs a thousand silver taels?"

Yan Huanlin nodded, "That’s the price indeed, but since Miss Xia is a regular customer, including our signature dishes, I only charged Miss Xia a thousand silver notes in total!"

He seemed to say, I’m not really a profiteer; I understand gratitude and repay favors.

Indeed, charging only a thousand was a friendship price; even the banquet was given free.

Though a thousand silver taels was a massive sum for ordinary people, even a lifetime might not earn it. But in the Capital City, where nobles and officials abound, it meant nothing to them.

Huangfu Yuxuan: "..."

He invited Xia Wanqing and his daughter to Yan Zui Xuan to celebrate their housewarming. However, Xia Wenjin was quite reluctant. He’d even prepared to be fleeced by Xia Wenjin; silver was something he didn’t lack. Using silver to gain Xia Wenjin’s favor was the simplest approach.

Yet, he ended up drunk, leaving Xia Wenjin to settle the bill.

A thousand silver was certainly nothing to Huangfu Yuxuan; he had just as many assets as Prince Zhuang, merely maintaining a lower profile.

But he understood quite well the general value silver held for everyone. Haotian Village was a prominent Jianghu family, but with its large estate, a thousand silver should mean a substantial sum to Xia Wenjin.

He invited them to celebrate the housewarming, and Xia Wenjin paid the silver. Xia Wenjin might suspect he deliberately got drunk to leave the bill unsettled.

Originally meant to increase Xia Wenjin’s favor, it perhaps only decreased it.

He needed to think of another way to make amends.

At this thought, Huangfu Yuxuan felt a surge of disgust.

There were many beauties in this world, even those with unique characteristics. He held grand ambitions, focusing on things beneficial to him; even in marriage, the criteria were the same. Thus, no matter how outstanding, if it didn’t serve his grand ambition, he was indifferent.

With his qualifications, he could use looks to allure, family background to attract, wealth to buy off, or even force to seize.

But this situation was annoying; it had to be that the other party willingly consented to marry him.

And she turned a disdainful gaze upon him!

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes briefly; no problem, he could bear it. He could afford time for persuasive tactics. Now Xia Wenjin was indifferent to him; after marrying her, he’d let her know how much she had married above herself.

After sending Yan Huanlin away, Huangfu Yuxuan did not leave, remaining in the hall drinking tea. After a while, a man in black slipped inside.

Huangfu Yuxuan asked, "Has Prince Zhuang’s Ninth Young Master been found?"

The man in black bowed, "The Blood Crow Hall has been keeping an eye, but despite searching the Capital City thoroughly, there’s been no news." He was none other than Pu Yangji, the leader of Huangfu Yuxuan’s dark forces who covertly visited Haotian Village earlier.

"What’s your speculation on Huangfu Wei’s situation?"

Pu Yangji pondered for a moment, "It’s likely disastrous!"

"Why do you say so?"

Pu Yangji confidently said, "Our people are skilled in finding traces. While we’ve been searching covertly with considerable effort these days, there’s still no news. Unless the person is already dead, there’s no way our people couldn’t find him!"

Huangfu Yuxuan nodded, showing a trace of approving smile. Then he said, "Spread the message that Huangfu Wei has been killed by Prince Cheng!"

Pu Yangji seemed slightly surprised, "Young master, our people have been watching Prince Cheng and his wife, but no one has seen them. If they’ve never been to the Capital City, spreading this message..."

Huangfu Yuxuan smiled lightly, his smile like looking down from heights, carrying profound foresight: "It’s alright, this is what the Third Imperial Uncle wishes to see; I’m merely assisting him!"

Pu Yangji quickly understood, "Understood!"

However, he added, "Young master, although we speculate that the Ninth Young Master might already be dead, what if he is still alive..."

Huangfu Yuxuan’s lips curled coldly, his eyes icy and sinister: "Then we’ll help cement this reputation for the Fifth Imperial Uncle. Also, isn’t Uncle Li pretty active lately? Let’s give him something to do!"

"Understood!" Pu Yangji got it; the young master intended to thoroughly unsettle the waters in the Capital City, deepening the conflicts between Prince Zhuang and Prince Cheng, while adding Prince Li to the mix, further stirring the waters, and murky waters were perfect for fishing!

Young master now hiding in the shadows would be the biggest winner.

Pu Yangji analyzed and said, "Young master, Prince Xin and Prince Lu’s people are quite active in the Capital City too; should we pull them into the fray?"

Huangfu Yuxuan chuckled, "Not the time yet!"

If everyone were embroiled, it might arouse Grandfather’s suspicion. Those two were mere jesters for now, unworthy of his effort.

Of course, if they overreach trying to grab a share, he won’t be polite!

Ever since the Crown Prince’s deposing was proclaimed, the court’s situation became unclear.

However, more people favored Prince Li; after all, the Eldest Prince was deposed, becoming Prince Liang, and the Third Prince was deposed, remaining Prince Zhuang. Now, only the Seventh Prince was in the Capital City.

Moreover, the Emperor cherished this youngest son most.

It seemed the current situation favored Prince Li alone?

Of course, the deposition of Prince Zhuang gave Prince Li hope and opportunity.

His filial piety towards the Emperor increased.

Previously, he feigned disinterest as an idle wanderer, showing no desire for the throne. Father only then made the Third Brother Crown Prince. But over the past year, he’s often expressed his views on court matters with the Third Brother, and Father should see his ability, knowing he also wished to ease Father’s burdens.

This time, Father might consider him, right?

After bringing Prince Zhuang down from the Crown Prince position, even though Prince Liang endeavored to impress the Emperor, first, his abilities were mediocre, he presented no noteworthy political insights, and second, he was not one with grand ambitions, unrelenting for the goal.

After several attempts to impress the Emperor without achieving his desired effect, he lost enthusiasm.